Over the years many of the Thai Visa regulars have followed the adventures of Mr. Bitey (that's his Thai Visa name, not his real name) as he's provided support for the Poster of the Year campaign for me and others.  He is an orange tabby cat, born on Thapae Soi 2 to a mom of questionable character and a father who had a regular job in a car repair shop on Thapae Rd.  He's done well in the world, now living in a high rise condo with every comfort a soi cat could want.    

Problem is that four years ago a lump developed on his back, was removed by Dr. Nook and the biopsy report said it was a low-grade fibrosarcoma, a type of cancer that, fortunately, doesn't metastasize quickly.  Dr. Nook removed it and a year later another lump developed in a different place on his back.  She removed that one, same biopsy report.  Then six months later another lump in a different place in his back.  Then three months later same story.  Now he's on lump number five with another three month interval since the previous lump.

 

The standard treatment in the west is surgical remove with chemo and radiation.  This is not available to Dr. Nook and she's made some phone calls and arranged an appointment for Mr. Bitey at Kasetsat University near Don Muang airport in Bangkok for this Wednesday morning, 11 March.

 

Trouble is that no Thai airline will accept a pet as carry-on luggage, under the seat in a carrier like we can do in North America and Europe.  Believe me, I've spent the day on the phone calling them all, explaining how my poor cat is ill and I don't want him sitting on the tarmac in a luggage vehicle in this heat, waiting to be loaded onto an aircraft with the engines roaring.  As it is now, he instinctively spends his time indoors, with the aircon and air filters while his sister sits on the balcony watching the birds, breathing the bad air.  He knows this air isn't good for him.

 

I've done a google search on private aircraft charter and they all seem to be geared to Angelina Jolie or Brad Pitt renting a luxury aircraft.  Mr. Bitey doesn't need leather seats and champagne.  He just needs a climate controlled flight from CNX to DMK.  A simple Cessna would be fine.  Does anyone know someone with a private aircraft that Mr. Bitey and I could rent to take us to DMK from CNX?

I have no personal experience but..

 

http://www.thailandpetmover.com/index.php?name=services&file=readservices&id=96

35 minutes ago, tonray said:

I have no personal experience but..

 

http://www.thailandpetmover.com/index.php?name=services&file=readservices&id=96

Thank you for the link, but this didn't work out.  They use the cargo services of the commercial airlines and no airline in Thailand permits a pet to be in the cabin.  While I know that the cargo holds for animals are climate controlled, I don't want him to be out on the tarmac or in a warehouse and the cargo transport vehicles in the heat.  This company can't arrange for a private flight.

 

Driving is definitely NOT an options; it's what, a 12 hour trip to Bangkok? He never settles down in a car, not even on a return trip from the vet.  Most animals figure out that they're coming home from the vet and calm down, but Mr. Bitey still keeps up 12 complaints a minute on the return trip.  Loud meows like he's a Siamese cat. He'd be totally worn out on a long trip.

13 minutes ago, NancyL said:

Driving is definitely NOT an options; it's what, a 12 hour trip to Bangkok? He never settles down in a car, not even on a return trip from the vet.  Most animals figure out that they're coming home from the vet and calm down, but Mr. Bitey still keeps up 12 complaints a minute on the return trip.  Loud meows like he's a Siamese cat. He'd be totally worn out on a long trip.

You're right with your priorities, the cat's comfort and lack of stress is so much more important than it's health and survival.  How on earth could anyone consider temporarily stressing an animal (that could easily be lightly sedated for car travel) in favour of it's health?

I have done the trip down to  Bangkok in 6 hours. Saying that not everyone does.???? Give the Lanna Flying Club ago. There located outside San Kampaeng. Contact details are in the link. Wishing for the for the best. http://www.lanna-flyingclub.com

 

I don't know the situation regarding acceptance of non-commercial flights into Don Mueang but:

 

Go to local flying club and ask around if anyone will take you if you pay half "running costs".

 

Perhaps against the law if you offer to pay all the costs, which may turn a private flight into a commercial flight under Thai aviation law.

 

Someone with a "Cessna" (and Instrument Rating?) may be interested.

 

Landing fee at DMK, for a light aeroplane, about 1200baht.

 

 

 

Ballpark figure for fuel cost, return flight Chiang-DMK-Chiang, in Cessna 152 = 12-15000 baht.

 

 

Aircon overnight First Class train

2500 THB for one person for full compartment

https://www.chiangmaitraveller.com/bangkok-chiang-mai-overnight-sleeper-train/

 

1 hour ago, Enoon said:

 

I don't know the situation regarding acceptance of non-commercial flights into Don Mueang but:

 

Go to local flying club and ask around if anyone will take you if you pay half "running costs".

 

Perhaps against the law if you offer to pay all the costs, which may turn a private flight into a commercial flight under Thai aviation law.

 

Someone with a "Cessna" (and Instrument Rating?) may be interested.

 

Landing fee at DMK, for a light aeroplane, about 1200baht.

 

 

That'll save the landing fee.

21 minutes ago, canthai55 said:

Aircon overnight First Class train

2500 THB for one person for full compartment

https://www.chiangmaitraveller.com/bangkok-chiang-mai-overnight-sleeper-train/

 

Thought of this mode of transport already.  Unfortunately, pets are permitted only on 3rd class  of Thai trains.  People have smuggled small dogs onto 1st class compartments of Thai trains, but Mr. Bitey is very vocal so this option is a no-go.  

1 hour ago, Just Weird said:

You're right with your priorities, the cat's comfort and lack of stress is so much more important than it's health and survival.  How on earth could anyone consider temporarily stressing an animal (that could easily be lightly sedated for car travel) in favour of it's health?

We don't have a car.   

Update from Mr. Bitey's Chiang Mai vet.  She's talked with the Kasetsart professor and he wants her to do the surgery to remove the lump here first before he sees Mr. Bitey and they will start the radiation at the University while he still has his stitches.  So, the surgery is now scheduled for Friday morning and I will take Mr. Bitey down to Don Muang/Kasetsat next Wednesday, 18 March.  This gives me another week to try to locate a private aircraft for the trip. 

 

Then it's back to CMU for the chemo. 

1 hour ago, NancyL said:

2 hours ago, Just Weird said:

You're right with your priorities, the cat's comfort and lack of stress is so much more important than it's health and survival.  How on earth could anyone consider temporarily stressing an animal (that could easily be lightly sedated for car travel) in favour of it's health?

We don't have a car.   

You don't have a plane either!    Maybe you could rent a car but strange that you didn't mention that before when you were talking about cars...

"Driving is definitely NOT an options; it's what, a 12 hour trip to Bangkok? He never settles down in a car, not even on a return trip from the vet.  Most animals figure out that they're coming home from the vet and calm down, but Mr. Bitey still keeps up 12 complaints a minute on the return trip.  Loud meows like he's a Siamese cat. He'd be totally worn out on a long trip".

 

 

There are flying clubs at Chiang Mai, why not contact them?   Bear in mind, though, that most private pilots won't be licenced for commercial flights which is what your flight would be.

www.cmflyingclub.com

www.lanna-flyingclub.com

A troll post has been removed.

Nancy, you may want to try to pick the brains of the folks over at Kitten Rescue and Adoption Chiang Mai on Facebook. I vaguely remember them arranging for a cat/kitten to be flown one time.  They may be able to make some suggestions.  Best of luck!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/252589635228751/?ref=bookmarks

3 hours ago, Enoon said:

 

Ballpark figure for fuel cost, return flight Chiang-DMK-Chiang, in Cessna 152 = 12-15000 baht.

 

 

Have you ever flown in a C-152.  I used to fly one.  You probably couldn't hear Mr. Bitey over the engine noise, but the cat would be a wreak.  Imho.

Best of luck on everything related to Mr. Bitey's health, recovery, and transportation. I know I would be doing the same (but would probably go with the option of driving).

3 hours ago, connda said:

Have you ever flown in a C-152.  I used to fly one.  You probably couldn't hear Mr. Bitey over the engine noise, but the cat would be a wreak.  Imho.

Yes, but he'd be tranquilized for a shorter period of time than if I rented a car and driver.

17 hours ago, NancyL said:

Thank you for the link, but this didn't work out.  They use the cargo services of the commercial airlines and no airline in Thailand permits a pet to be in the cabin.  While I know that the cargo holds for animals are climate controlled, I don't want him to be out on the tarmac or in a warehouse and the cargo transport vehicles in the heat.  This company can't arrange for a private flight.

 

Driving is definitely NOT an options; it's what, a 12 hour trip to Bangkok? He never settles down in a car, not even on a return trip from the vet.  Most animals figure out that they're coming home from the vet and calm down, but Mr. Bitey still keeps up 12 complaints a minute on the return trip.  Loud meows like he's a Siamese cat. He'd be totally worn out on a long trip.

What about a Vet approved sedative for the car trip ?

9 hours ago, NancyL said:

Yes, but he'd be tranquilized for a shorter period of time than if I rented a car and driver.

A typical basic 4-seater like a Cessna 172 or a Tomahawk will cruise at around 100 mph and is very noisy if you're not wearing a headset. It's about 350 NM CM>BKK so around 4 hours give or take. That means you'd have to stop and fuel up, most likely in Phitsanulok (it's hard to find AvGas at many airports). You could maybe do it in one go with a decent tailwind but you'd be on the edge for endurance. Even if pilot is instrument-rated you won't have cabin oxygen so can't go much higher than 12,000 feet which can keep you in the weather and make for a bumpy flight. Add together flight time + refueling + pre-flight etc and probably looking at minimum 6 hours. Plus it would be really expensive, particularly if you have to pay for the plane to fly back to CM.

 

Forget the private plane idea. Commercial flight is the best and least stressful option.   

 

 

Don't Thonglor Pet Clinic (Chiang Mai) have the equipment needed. Just a thought as they seem to be the most well equipped.

On the up side it would be easy to get a car hire with driver as they are all crying out for business at the moment.

The poor cat has to live in a high rise condo where it can't go out for a walk? That's sad.

18 hours ago, NancyL said:

Update from Mr. Bitey's Chiang Mai vet.  She's talked with the Kasetsart professor and he wants her to do the surgery to remove the lump here first before he sees Mr. Bitey and they will start the radiation at the University while he still has his stitches.  So, the surgery is now scheduled for Friday morning and I will take Mr. Bitey down to Don Muang/Kasetsat next Wednesday, 18 March.  This gives me another week to try to locate a private aircraft for the trip. 

 

Then it's back to CMU for the chemo. 

Presumably the Kasetsart professor has liaised with CMU already - they have oncologists but can't do the radiotherapy?

While I recognize the deep bonds that can develop between people and "pets" ... and, I am a cat lover/worshipper ... I find the idea of heroic and costly interventions to extend the life of a pet already "old" biologically, in an environment full of abandoned pets, feral cats, stray kittens ... a strange choice.

 

At the same time, I find myself wishing I had someone that devoted to me !

 

~o:37;

 

 

my daughter and husband have a plane in oz 

wonder what they  will say if i ask them

19 hours ago, connda said:

Have you ever flown in a C-152.  I used to fly one.  You probably couldn't hear Mr. Bitey over the engine noise, but the cat would be a wreak.  Imho.

 

Indeed I have.

 

It's what I learned on in the USA.

 

Not nearly as much fun as a PA-18, which was what I flew in the UK.

 

Global warming

child poverty

Millions starving

100,000’s displaced by war

food banks in western world

mass unemployment

sexual slavery

need I go on???

 

Give the thing to me, I’ll put it out it’s misery and won’t charge you a penny.

22 hours ago, roo860 said:

That'll save the landing fee.

Remove parachute  will also remove the vet fee...........sorry mr  bitey

2 hours ago, orang37 said:

While I recognize the deep bonds that can develop between people and "pets" ... and, I am a cat lover/worshipper ... I find the idea of heroic and costly interventions to extend the life of a pet already "old" biologically, in an environment full of abandoned pets, feral cats, stray kittens ... a strange choice.

 

At the same time, I find myself wishing I had someone that devoted to me !

 

~o:37;

 

 

So don't make that choice then.